Potential F56 Mini Cooper S purchase

[Gruber]

I'm seriously tempted by one of these, probably in the volcanic orange launch colour to stand out from the crowd a little... Manual, black roof and stripes, and black wheels.

Are there any "must have" options? I'm currently erring towards Chilli pack, hi-fi upgrade and perhaps the basic nav system. Anything vital that I'm missing?

What's the view of those of you who've bought one already? Any regrets?

[JCWbeast]

I've got a JCW version, kept spec low as possible, essentials for me were the Harmon Kardon Stereo and the Visual Boost. Didnt bother with any packs. Kept 17" wheels for a bit more feel, rather than 18"s on run flats. Didnt bother with adjustable dampers, JCW rides just fine on the standard setup. MCS will be the same I'd think. Absolutely no regrets, everything I wanted and more!

[airsafari87]

Gruber said:

I'm seriously tempted by one of these, probably in the volcanic orange launch colour to stand out from the crowd a little... Manual, black roof and stripes, and black wheels.

Are there any "must have" options? I'm currently erring towards Chilli pack, hi-fi upgrade and perhaps the basic nav system. Anything vital that I'm missing?

What's the view of those of you who've bought one already? Any regrets?

I've not long since taken delivery of a Cooper S with the JCW Pro Exhaust Upgrade.

We went a little mad with the options, but there are some you could live without in all seriousness.

I'd definitely tick the Harmon Kardon box if I were you, along with the Media XL pack option. We also added the Tech Pack which I believe adds a built in hard drive. along with a few other things like reversing camera etc ..

Adaptive dampers are nice. I find I have mine set in Sport for most of the time, but it is nice having that extra degree of comfort when all you want to do it trundle along.

For me though, the JCW Pro Exhaust is a must have. As standard, the exhaust is very tame sounding. The JCW Pro is a full new system and has a blue tooth remote that opens a valve in the right hand pipe.

In mid (normal) mode with the flap closed the car is only slightly different in tone to the standard exhaust.

Put it in sport mode and activate the flap, and it goes mental. A complete Jekyll and Hyde turn around.

If you can, try and get a test drive in a car with it fitted before making your choice.

But for me it is a must have for the Cooper S.

Ohhhh it also adds something like 20 to 30bhp due to an ecu remap that comes with the kit.

[JCWbeast]

+1 on Pro Exhaust, got it on my JCW, the one extra I did spend ££££'s on! Really makes the car.

[Gruber]

Thanks chaps.

What I didn't say is that I'm in Switzerland and, believe it or not, the Swiss authorities have a downer on fruity exhausts. So sadly the JCW exhaust pack isn't an option out here. Bummer, by the sounds of it.

I'm not minded to go wild with the options list, but I'm very grateful for the replies and advice.

[JCWbeast]

Oh dear, bad luck there! On the plus side - its a dealer fit accessory, so you could always pop over to Blighty if you change your mind, have it fitted and then back home!!! As long as the valve is shut (default) its no different really to a normal one.

Seriously, both MCS and JCW are pretty well kitted out as standard, but its VERY easy to add £5k+ in options and turn it into an expensive car. I wanted a semi-drivers car, but had to be a daily driver with space for the school run and a few business miles too. Have diesel family car to back it up.

Tried Golf R, S3, even TTS etc. all very fast, all very capable but just didnt do it for me, wanted something different. Exited BMW dealership after being turned off a 135 and thought, I wander what Mini have to offer.... they lent me a JCW for the day, hooked instantly. Just try one, they seem to be a bit like marmite, some people get them, some really don't. You'll know when you hit the first roundabout at speed whether its for you or not.

Only thing I'd say about MCS and JCW, the JCW is quite a bit more, but you do get some serious kit as standard - 230bhp, monster brakes, superb standard seats and interior. And the bodykit, which is functional at the front - there is extra cooling behind all of the extra vents. When I specced up an MCS, I'd have spent more than I did on the JCW. Do try both if you can and try not to get too carried away!

[Goatex]

Just to reiterate what I've said in another post: tyres make a huge difference as to how a Mini drives. 17s and decent non run flats seem to be the sweet spot. Put Michelin Pilot Supersports on our Cooper S which had run flats on when we collected it and car rides and handles much better as a result. Only option I wish it had is the HK hifi, don't have the variable dampers and wouldn't say essential but would prob spec it myself if ordering from new. Having sat in a few I would say some of the trims look a bit cheap so I'd spec either piano black, which we have, or one of the Yours options - again if I had free reign of the spec would choose Dark Cottonwood which looks great IMO and also adds extra ambient lighting in the doors. Ours came with the sunroof which glad it did but only because everything else is black including the optional black headlining. Of all the options ours has it would be the LED headlights I would recommend the most.

[JCWbeast]

I'm totally with Goatex, the 18's look great and many choose them, but if you want great ride and plenty of feel with nice progression, stick with 17's or even 16's on the MCS. I'm running standard P-Zero's on 245/45/R17 and they are great all round tyres. At £75 a corner I can afford to shred a few too, which is inevitable with 190 - 230bhp through the fronts......

[Gruber]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I'll definitely be sticking to the 17s - just a question of silver or black.

The roads are smooth enough out here that I don't think I'll need the variable dampers.

Time to use my woeful french to try to get a decent test drive...

[SlowStig]

I have a Challenge 210(tarted up CooperS) and would recommend not bothering with an F56 at all and getting either an R56 JCW/GP or a different car. I found my F56 lacking in pretty much all aspects compared to my old R55 clubman, the only thing which it has better is the JCW Pro exhaust.

[Gruber]

SlowStig said:

I have a Challenge 210(tarted up CooperS) and would recommend not bothering with an F56 at all and getting either an R56 JCW/GP or a different car. I found my F56 lacking in pretty much all aspects compared to my old R55 clubman, the only thing which it has better is the JCW Pro exhaust.

It's interesting you say that... I popped into a local dealer today to take a look at a 2012 R56 CS and was reminded that they're (to my eyes) a much better looking car than their successor.

Am I correct in thinking anything manufactured after 2010 will have a later engine that doesn't suffer from the "engines lunching themselves" issues that the R56 CS is renowned for?

There are lots of cars available out here on a 10 year / 100k km free servicing plan, so getting an approved used warranty on a late R56 might be an option worth exploring.

I need back seats, so a GP is probably out of the question. And I owned a 2008 JCW brand new and found it a little uncouth for my tastes - so I think a "plain old" CS will do the job nicely...

[SlowStig]

Gruber said:

It's interesting you say that... I popped into a local dealer today to take a look at a 2012 R56 CS and was reminded that they're (to my eyes) a much better looking car than their successor.

Am I correct in thinking anything manufactured after 2010 will have a later engine that doesn't suffer from the "engines lunching themselves" issues that the R56 CS is renowned for?

There are lots of cars available out here on a 10 year / 100k km free servicing plan, so getting an approved used warranty on a late R56 might be an option worth exploring.

I need back seats, so a GP is probably out of the question. And I owned a 2008 JCW brand new and found it a little uncouth for my tastes - so I think a "plain old" CS will do the job nicely...

You are correct in thinking that about the engines, its the N14(earlier engine) which had majority of the problems but the N18 still had some issues. When I was looking, most dealers suggested looking for a car around 2011 to make sure you have the right engine and if unsure, pop the bonnet and have a look!

[rsbmw]

We're now looking at the Cooper S. Having spent most of the day looking at various 1.5 diesel crossovers, she declared she liked Mini's. Must say I jumped at the opportunity to have a little hot(ish) hatch. Looks like you can remap them to the 300bhp mark, perhaps I'll wait until she's sick of it and get her something else, then I'll have it!

[mikeyscott]

We're looking at Cooper S, Cooper and Fiesta after my wife's fiesta got written off courtesy of another driver.

Wait for the settlement figure, which no doubt be a piss take